Amazing High-Grade ’34 Goudey Gehrig

The phrase “Yellow Gehrig” is one any prewar collector will recognize; it clearly refers to the iconic 1934 Goudey card featuring the bold portrait of a smiling Yankee captain, set against a bright yellow background. The Gehrig-endorsed 1934 Goudey issue helped cement the first baseman as the game’s biggest star in the wake of a fading Babe Ruth; his wholesome image and impossible consecutive games streak endeared him to baseball fans not only in New York but nationwide.

The 1934 Goudey issue remains one of the more popular of the gum card era, and without a Ruth, it is the issue’s two Gehrig cards that are the set’s undisputed keys. The bright yellow background is susceptible to showing stains and scuffs, accentuating every flaw even in higher-grade examples. Such high grade examples are rare, however, with just three specimens attaining a grade of MINT 9 by PSA, with two graded MINT 96 by SGC and one GEM 98.

There is no two ways about it: this is a monster card. Graded MINT 9 OC by PSA, the qualifier refers only to the top-to-bottom centering issue that falls outside the range for a straight MINT grade. The centering issue is relatively unobtrusive as far as eye appeal is concerned, however, the addition of the qualifier brings the sale price of the card down below the unquestionable six-figure range this card would fetch in a straight 9 holder. Regardless, however, the card is as beautiful a “Yellow Gehrig” as you are likely to find, with brilliant yellow coloring and blazing corners. The slight blemish near Gehrig’s left cheek that is visible in our high-resolution scan is strictly on the holder and not thecard;it is a small blemish in the plastic that qwe were unable to remove.

With a total graded population of more than 1,000 examples, the number to achieve a MINT grade or better is just six. One of the most beautiful “Yellow Gehrig” cards in existence, a pure mint copy with a slight centering flaw that reduces the card’s technical assessment but certainly not its aesthetic appeal.